Hydrant for pitless well units



P 30, 1968 H. 1.. ANDREW 3,380,533

HYDRANT FOR PITLESS WELL UNITS Filed March 11, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIE. .5 45 I 42 67 WQM N? \v I ,4 4/ M 390 39 INVENTOR. ions: 4. 40a?! lrraxwsy:

United States Patent 3,380,533 HYDRANT FOR PITLESS WELL UNITS Homer L. Andrew, Superior, Wis, assignor to Duplex Manufacturing Company, Superior, Wis., 21 corporation of Wisconsin Filed Mar. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 541,433 11 Claims. (Cl. 16688) This invention relates generally to water distribution equipment and more particularly to a hydrant unit for use with pitless well units.

In the water well industry it has become common practice to employ what is known as a pitless unit for the delivery of water from an underground well to a remote discharge point. This pitless unit is designed to be placed vertically above the well upon the well casing, below the normal frost line of the ground and provides means for attaching a lateral discharge line thereto such that the lateral discharge line may deliver water to a remote discharge point such as a house or the like. The advantages of these pitless units are of course well known in the industry and these units have in the past several years become particularly important as they have simplified the well maintenance and installation problems.

The invention disclosed in this application concerns a hydrant unit for use with such a pitless well unit which hydrant unit is directly attachable to the underground pitless water distributor member and which hydrant is encased in and provided within the available well casing. This hydrant then provides a means of supplying water for direct useage in addition to the normal lateral discharge without requiring tapping into the discharge line.

It should be obvious that such an installation is possible without any excavation to afford access to the discharge line.

With this particular hydrant unit the problem of freezing water present in hydrants of other constructions is eliminated by providing this hydrant directly in the well casing and by draining the hydrant directly back into the well such that the entire hydrant supply line will be free from water unless the hydrant is being used for delivering water to a remote point.

The primary features of this well hydrant include: A free drain directly into the well such that the hydrant will be free from any freezing possibilities; a utilization of the present'well structure and well excavation for the hydrant installation; the elimination of any gravel sumps and the elimination of any chance of contaminating the well by providing certain check valve systems which prevent siphoning water once discharged from the hydrant back into the well system. Another particular point is that the inclusion of the hydrant within the available well casing which provides additional frost protection due to the well heat and the well casing enclosure. A further particularly important aspect of this invention is to provide a valving structure for a hydrant which can be removed from a well without disturbing any of the underground connections and without requiring any additional underground installations.

Other than these important factors of this invention the hydrant operates substantially as any other water hydrant which is to deliver water from a pressure source when a simple actuating handle is opened.

It is therefore an object of applicants invention to provide a water hydrant for use with pitless well units.

It is a further object of applicants invention to pro vide a hydrant unit useable with pitless well installations which unit is easily installed and easily removed from the pitless distributor of a pitless well unit such that no additional excavation or installation structure is required.

It is a further object of applicants invention to provide 3,380,533 Patented Apr. 30, 1968 a water hydrant for a pitless well unit which will drain directly back into the well such that the possibility of water freezing within the hydrant delivery line is definitely eliminated.

It is a further object of applicants invention to provide a hydrant unit arranged to deliver water directly from a pitless well unit having certain contamination preventing elements included therein which will prevent backfiow of water through the hydrant into the well once the water has left the hydrant nozzle.

It is a further object of applicants invention to provide a water hydrant for use with pitless well units of any design and construction but which is primarily designed for use with submersible type pumping systems or the like which do not include an actuating piston rod to pass through the area into which the hydrant is installed.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an installation of a pitless well unit which includes a hydrant embodying the concepts of applicants invention in operative position thereon;

FIG. 2 is a substantially vertical cross section of selected portions of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section through the nozzle portion of the hydrant; and

FIG. 4 is a portion of FIG. 2 illustrating the installation of the valving mechanism of the unit as it would be installed in a standard pitless member and particularly illustrating the valving structure in a position opposite to that shown in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 a hydrant generally designated 10 embodying the concepts of this invention is shown in position upon a standard well pitless unit generally designated 11 which is provided with a submersible pump (not shown). The pitless unit 11, as well known in the trade incorporates a well casing 12 enclosing a drop pipe 16, both of which extend down to the source of water with a pitless T 13 arranged on the uppermost portion of the drop pipe. The pitless T 13 is designed to provide a lateral connection for a discharge line 14 which T 13 and discharge line 14 are arranged below the normal freezing or frost level such that as water flows upwardly from the well into the discharge line 14 and into the house the water will not freeze therein.

In order to afford access to the pitless T 13 and the well therebelow an extension 15 of the well casing is provided to extend upwardly from the pitless T 13 above ground level. This casing 15 will afford access to the well and will provide means for removing or inserting the various components which must be placed into the well for proper installation and operation of the unit. Within T member 13 a distributor unit 17 is sealingly mounted and is arranged to provide a sealed connection between a drop pipe 16 and the lateral discharge pipe 14. In operation water flows upwardly from the drop pipe 16 through an opening 17a within the distributor 17 and flows around the distributor 17 where it will be discharged laterally through the discharge pipe 14. The uppermost portion of the distributor unit 17 is closed such that no water will flow upwardly into the extending portion of the cas ing 15.

In the particular unit shown the distributor member 17 is supported through the inclusion of a hanger pipe 18 attached to the uppermost end thereof which hanger pipe 18 extends upwardly through the casing section 15 and through a top most cover member 19 provided on casing 15. Hanger pipe 18 and the elements carried thereby including the distributor 17 and the drop pipe 16 are supported through the inclusion of a supporting nut member 19a threadably arranged on the uppermost end of the hanger pipe 18 such that the nut member 190 will abut with the cover section 19 and support the entire load of all the operative elements contained within the well casing 12. Although the particular system illustrated includes the concept of a submersible pump arranged on the lower end of the drop pipe 16, it is and it should be obvious that this particular hydrant unit may be used with any type of pumping system which does not provide an air opening to provide a breakage in the suction lift or any pump which does not include an actuating piston rod positioned through the area in which the hydrant is positioned.

In the form shown the distributor member 17 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 includes a pair of spaced sealing members 20-21 which are arranged to abut with certain internal portions of the discharge T 13 such that as wa ter flows upwardly through the drop pipe 16 it will be free to pass outwardly through apertures 17a in distributor 17 from an internal chamber 16a formed within the distributor 17 to flow therearound in T passage 13a to then flow out of the lateral discharge line 14. This particular structure thus far described is generally Well known in the trade and the only changes necessary to provide a hydrant structure thereon will now be described.

In order to facilitate the transfer of water from the drop pipe 16 upwardly into the hydrant structure or from discharge line 14 and a storage tank attached thereto, a first valve housing member generally designated 22 is provided in threaded engagement with an upper closure portion 16b forming the usual sealed top for the distributor 17. In the form shown this closure portion 16b is provided with a threaded opening to receive the valve housing member 22. In the form shown this housing member 22 is generally cylindrical in shape having a longitudinally extending side 23 with a closure plate 24 arranged on the downwardly extending end thereof.

An aperture 23a is provided below a threaded portion 23b thereof to be normally positioned within cavity 16a of the distributor 17 such that in proper position of the spool valve 25 arranged within housing 22 water will be permitted to flow upwardly into spool valve 25 as illustrated by the flow arrows in FIG. 4. The uppermost portion 23c of housing 22 is provided with a conical passage entrance 23d the use of which will be described hereinafter. Valve housing 22 then provides an inner cylindrical Wall 22a for housing valve member 25 therein and permitting the same to be shifted into a plurality of positions therein such that water flow therethrough may be controlled.

Valve member 25 as best illustrated in FIG. 4 consists of a spool valve assembly having a passage 26 formed therethrough which passage 26 is arranged to communicate with a hydrant supplying conduit 27 to permit the flow of water upwardly therein. The valve member 25 in the form shown includes a bottom closure section 28 which encompasses a pair of spaced sealing members 28a-28b on the periphery thereof such that in one position of valve member 25 the sealing members 28a28b will be spaced on either side of aperture 23a and thus prevent the flow of water therethrough. This is the closed position 1%; (ghe hydrant and this particular position is illustrated in A water receiving aperture or set of apertures 30 is provided in upwardly spaced relation from the first of said sealing members 28a and is likewise positioned below a next upwardly provided sealing member 30a. Apertures 30 communicate with the internal passage 26 of the valve 25 such that in the position shown in FIG. 4 water is free to flow upwardly from cavity 16a through aperture 23a through the set of apertures 30 of the valve member 25 and upwardly into the passage 26 and conduit passage 27 where it will be discharged from the hydrant.

A drain arrangement is provided by including a second upwardly spaced aperture set 31 spaced upwardly from the sealing member 30a and positioned below a final sealing member 31a. This aperture set 31 again communicates with valve passage 26.

In the valve position shown in FIG. 4 water is sealed from flow through apertures 31 as sealing members 30a 31a prevent such flow. The position of which this particular aperture or set of apertures 31 comes into importance is illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein aperture 31 is positioned slightly upwardly into the conical portion 23d of housing 22 such that water is now free to fiow out of passages 31. In the position shown in FIG. 2 no water is free to enter the valve 25 from the distributor 17 and any water within either valve body 25 or conduit 27 will now rather drain out of this set of apertures 31 such that the entire longitudinal length of the conduit 27 and essentially the entire hydrant may be drained such that no freezing may possibly occur in the unit.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 conduit 27 is arranged inwardly of the normal hanger pipe 18 and in order to permit water to flow out of the conduit 27 an aperture 18a is provided through the hanger pipe 18 to permit water to drain from the hydrant conduit 27 outwardly through apertures 31 and through drain passage 18a in hanger pipe 18. In order to eliminate the accumulation of water between hanger pipe 18 and the well casing 15 a pair of drain members must be provided within the distributor member 17 and a pair of passages designated 36-35 are arranged to pass through the distributor 17 such that water will drain directly back into the well.

In order to accomplish this particular installation as thus far described it should be obvious that it is only necessary to provide a threaded aperture extending into cavity 16a of the distributor member 17 and when it is desired to install this hydrant it is only necessary to remove a plug or other closure means from this aperture, insert the housing member 22 therein and thereafter place the valve member 25 in operative position within housing member 22.

In order to actuate and properly provide for the discharge of water through the hydrant structure 10 the hydrant conduit 27 extends upwardly into a nozzle member 37. In order to afiord the mechanical actuation of the hydrant conduit 27 and the attached valve member 25 it is necessary however to provide certain additional structural elements and in this particular case a fixed supporting member 38 is provided in threaded engagement with the upper hanger nut 19a. As illustrated in FIG. 2 this member 38 extends upwardly and has its uppermost end 38:: slideably engaged with an inner sliding surface 370 on the lowermost end of nozzle 37. This sliding provides means for shifting the nozzle upwardly and downwardly while actuating the hydrant conduit 27 and thus facilitating movement of the valve body 25.

The nozzle member 37 is provided with an internal passage 39 which communicates with the upward opening of hydrant conduit 27 to permit the discharge of water from the nozzle 37. On the discharge end 39a of the nozzle 37 a threaded connector member 40 is provided such that the unit may be easily attached to a standard garden hose or the like. Connector member 40 provides a certain safety feature which consists of a check valve including a ball member 41 sealable against a conical seat 42 formed within the nozzle 37. This check valve is particularly important in that it is impossible for water to flow backwardly through the nozzle passage 39 to re-enter the well, and this check valve system then prevents certain contamination of the well. Naturally when the water is flowing upwardly through conduit 27 and outwardly through the nozzle passage 39 the valve ball member 41 is out of sealing position with the conical seat 42 and water is allowed to flow outwardly through the connector member 40 with the ball member retained by a capturing element which allows water to pass therearound.

It should be noted that the ball member 41 will also function when the hydrant conduit 27 is draining and in this particular instance the hydrant draining water downwardly through conduit 27 will cause a certain suction on the ball member 41 and this ball may be drawn into sealing position with the seat 42. In order to alleviate this situation a siphon breaking system generally designated 43 is provided such that when the actuating handle member 44 is in downward or what would be valve closed position a striker member 45 will actuate a spring loaded valving device 46 to permit air to be drawn into the nozzle passage 39 to permit the water to effectively drain from hydrant conduit 27.

To obtain the mechanical motion of the hydrant conduit 27 and the attached valve member a linkage connector member 48 is securely attached to the supporting pipe member 38 through the use of set screws 48a or the like and this member 48 not only permits the movement of the nozzle 37 and connected hydrant conduit 27 but likewise limits the movement of these members. In the form shown a pair of linkage bars 49 are pivotally attached on one end to the connector member 48 with the other end pivotally attached to the handle 44 with pin 50. The handle itself is linked rotatably not only to the bar members 49 but is likewise pivotally linked to the nozzle member 37 itself through pin 51. Upon movement of the handle member 44 in a direction upwardly from that illustrated in FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrow nozzle 37, connected hydrant conduit 27 and valve member 25 will be displaced downwardly into the position illustrated in FIG. 4 which will permit the flow of water upwardly into the valve member 25, hydrant conduit 27 and finally the nozzle 37. Upon movement of the handle downwardly into the position shown in FIG. 3 the striker member 45 will come in contact with the siphon breaking element 43 to permit air to flow into the unit and likewise at the same time the nozzle member 37, connected hydrant conduit 27 and valve member 25 will be drawn upwardly into a closed position illustrated in FIG. 2. In this particular closed position no water will flow through the system but rather the openings 31 will be in position to permit drainage of the water from the hydrant conduit 27 outwardly through passage 18a in hanger pipe 18 back downwardly into the well unit through apertures -36 provided directly within the distributor members 17.

One important aspect of this construction is the communication of the valve member 25, conduit 27 and nozzle 37. This is an entirely closed system which not only controls the flow of water but also carries the water through a continuous structure which does not permit leakage. The device as illustrated is a continuation of a pitless unit and thus eliminates any additional piping ordinarily required to install a hydrant other than the hydrant connector conduit.

An additional feature which is of importance in this structure is that the direction of the discharge nozzle may be freely changed by simply shifting the connector member 48 about the support pipe 38.

It should be obvious that a most important feature of this unit is the manner in which the entire valve member can be removed from the top of the well without any excavation or connection problems. The ease of installation and therefore the ease of inspection and replacement of worn parts make this unit particularly interesting from a commercial standpoint.

It should be obvious that applicant has provided a new and unique hydrant mechanism particularly adapted for use with pitless well units which incorporates an ease of installation and replacement heretofore nnobtainable with hydrant units and which insures a contamination free system.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportion of parts without departing from the scope of my invention, which generally stated consists in the mattter set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A hydrant for use in a pitless well installation of the type including a well casing having the upper end thereof disposed above the surface of the ground, a water distributor member within the casing below frost level for directing water from the well into a lateral discharge line, said hydrant including:

(a) a hydrant nozzle arranged for positioning above ground level;

(b) a conduit within the casing above the distributor arranged to receive water from the distributor for delivery to said nozzle;

(c) valving means cooperatively associated with said conduit shiftable into at least an open position to permit the flow of water into said conduit and a closed position permitting water .to drain from said nozzle directly into the well; and

(d) means for shifting said valving means into selected position.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said conduit includes:

(a) a valve housing portion arranged to receive water from said distributor; and

(b) said valving means arranged within said valve housing and communicating with said conduit to permit and control flow therethrough.

3. A pitless well water hydrant including:

(a) a well casing having the upper end thereof disposed above ground level;

(b) a water distributor sealingly mounted in said casing below ground frost level having a lateral discharge opening;

(c) a lateral discharge opening in said casing arranged to receive water from said distributor;

(d) means for pumping water from the well to said distributor;

(e) a hydrant nozzle arranged for placement in generally vertically spaced relation to the upper end of said casing;

(f) a conduit communicating with said nozzle for delivery of water thereto;

(g) means fluidly connecting said conduit to said distributor to permit flow of water thereto;

(h) valving means associated with said fluid connecting means to control the flow of water; and

(i) means for shifting said valving means whereby the flow of water is controlled.

4. The structure set forth in claim 3 and said valving means being shiftable to at least two positions, one of said positions permitting flow of water into said conduit, another of said positions permitting draining of water from said conduit directly back into the well.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4 and said distributor being provided with drainage passages therethrough to permit water drained from said conduit to return to the well.

6. The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein said fluid connecting means includes a valve housing removably insertable into said distributor having an inlet arranged to communicate with water flowing through said distributor, said valving means includes:

(a) a spool valve member affording open communication therethrough with said conduit in one position and closing communication between said distributor and said conduit in a second position and permitting drainage of said conduit in said second position.

7. The structure set forth in claim 6 wherein said conduit, valving means and nozzle are interconnected to allow water flow therethrough.

8. The structure set forth in claim 6 wherein said shifting means includes means to control said nozzle for selectively shifting the position thereof whereby said connected conduit and valve member are shifted into one of the valve member positions.

9. The structure set forth in claim 3 and check valve 7 means associatively arranged with said nozzle to permit the discharge of Water from said nozzle but preventing backfiow into the nozzle and connected hydrant structure.

10. The structure set forth in claim 9 and siphon breaking means cooperatively associated with said conduit admitting air thereto when said valve member is in closed position to permit drainage of Water from said conduit.

11. The structure set forth in claim 8 and siphon breaking means associated with said conduit admitting air there- UNITED STATES PATENTS 538,882 5/1895 Reif 137-570 2,917,113 12/1959 Ortman 16688 3,154,148 10/1964 Peterson 16688 10 JAMES A. LEPPINK, Primary Examiner. 

1. A HYDRANT FOR USE IN A PITLESS WELL INSTALLATION OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A WELL CASING HAVING THE UPPER END THEREOF DISPOSED ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND, A WATER DISTRIBUTOR MEMBER WITHIN THE CASING BELOW FROST LEVEL FOR DIRECTING WATER FROM THE WELL INTO A LATERAL DISCHARGE LINE, SAID HYDRANT INCLUDING: (A) A HYDRANT NOZZLE ARRANGED FOR POSITIONING ABOVE GROUND LEVEL; (B) A CONDUIT WITHIN THE CASING ABOVE THE DISTRIBUTOR ARRANGED TO RECEIVE WATER FROM THE DISTRIBUTOR FOR DELIVERY TO SAID NOZZLE; (C) VALVING MEANS COOPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CONDUIT SHIFTABLE INTO AT LEAST AN OPEN POSITION TO PERMIT THE FLOW OF WATER INTO SAID CONDUIT AND A CLOSED POSITION PERMITTING WATER TO DRAIN FROM SAID NOZZLE DIRECTLY INTO THE WELL; AND (D) MEANS FOR SHIFTING SAID VALVING MEANS INTO SELECTED POSITION. 